The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test as a test for executive function: Validity in patient groups and norms for older adults

Abstract

Impairments in executive functioning frequently occur after acquired brain damage, in psychiatric disorders, and in relation to aging. The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test is a relatively new measure for assessing the ability to detect and follow a rule, an important aspect of executive functioning. To date, normative data on this task are limited, particularly concerning the elderly. This study presents age- and education-adjusted regression-based norms obtained in a group of healthy older participants (n = 283; mean age 67.4 +/- 8.5 years). The applicability and validity of these norms were further examined in different groups of patients with stroke (n = 106), diabetes mellitus (n = 376), MCI/early dementia (n = 70), psychiatric disorders (n = 63), and Korsakoff's syndrome (n = 41). The results showed that patients with Korsakoff's syndrome, stroke, and psychiatric disorders performed significantly worse than healthy controls. Test-retest correlation (n = 83), learning effects, and correlations with other neuropsychological tests were also explored. Based on the present study, the Brixton test appears a useful addition to existing measures of executive functioning. Moreover, the test can be reliably applied in different groups of clinical patients.

Distinct Neuropsychological Correlates of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Affective Apathy Sub-Domains in Acquired Brain Injury

“…This test was chosen because of its limited semantic loading, and its sensitivity to deficits in a number of executive processes, including set shifting and rule or feedback use (32). The test consists of a series of pages in a booklet.…”

Exploring sarcasm detection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using ecologically valid measures

“…Subjects are shown one page at a time, and are required to determine where the blue circle will appear on the consecutive pages by attempting to see a pattern or rule based on the information provided on the previous page. The Brixton is a validated measure with good reliability, and does not demonstrate hemispheric lateralization (Van den Berg et al, 2009). …”

Observational Dutch Young Symptomatic StrokE studY (ODYSSEY): study rationale and protocol of a multicentre prospective cohort study

“…Visuoconstructive ability will be assessed by the copy trial of the Rey Complex Figure Test [39]. With respect to executive functioning, verbal fluency (animal naming, 60 sec) will be used to test response regeneration, the Brixton Spatial Addition Task [40] will be administered as a measure of concept shifting and rule detection, and the Stroop Interference Score [32] will be included as a measure of response inhibition. Furthermore participants will complete the Star Cancellation of the Behavioral Inattention Test, a short screening battery to assess the presence of a visual neglect [41].…”